Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Meridian?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Meridian?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Meridian?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 56% higher in Meridian, ID. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,523

+40% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,540

+89% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,489

+50% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,893

+69% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$485,000

+348% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$98,686

+128% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$49,100

+15% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

37.4 yr

+2.7 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

48.6%

76.1%

+27.5 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

44.4%

+15.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

20.2 min

22.3 min

+2.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

150.3

Property Crime

—

583.5

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

52.5°F

+12.8°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

11.7 in

+42.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Meridian, ID

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

14.4

+3% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$11.33

+61% in Jackson, MS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / ID)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.30%

+1.3 pp in ID

Jackson vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Meridian?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Meridian?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).